Control of Infectious Diseases in Vet Hospitals

Infectious disease outbreaks that occur in veterinary hospitals (nosocomial outbreaks) can present an overwhelming challenge to veterinary personnel, and they are often events that incite a greater awareness and concern for routine infection

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Infectious disease outbreaks that occur in veterinary hospitals (nosocomial outbreaks) can present an overwhelming challenge to veterinary personnel, and they are often events that incite a greater awareness and concern for routine infection control efforts. Josie Traub-Dargatz, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, professor of equine medicine at Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Animal Population Health Institute, addressed the nuances of these issues in her presentation at the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine’s convention earlier this year.


She directed most of her comments to veterinarians providing care for patients in a teaching hospital or large practice. Yet, she admits, “The best facility can’t achieve zero infection occurrence. Our goal is to keep it to a minimum. One objective of infection control plans is to avoid outbreaks of nosocomial infections. However, if an outbreak occurs, it does not mean that the hospital was not up to standard.”


Many lessons can be learned from methods used to control infections in human care facilities. However, “there are distinct differences between human and animal patients regarding the cause and methods necessary to control infectious disease spread among patients,” said Traub-Dargatz.


“Animals in the hospital population are inherently high-risk for certain infections because of the sheer fact part of the population is sick animals,” says Traub-Dargatz. “Yes, it’s important to recognize that our hospital patients are at risk for spread of infectious disease, but being aware of this risk, we can take precautions

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Stephanie Stephens is a USEF Media Award winner and American Horse Publications award winner whose work appears in major consumer magazines worldwide. She lives in Southern Calif., but she splits her time between New Zealand and the United States.

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